Cigarette case



P. A. GARDNER, JR

CIGARETTE CASE Filed Oct. 28, 1926 OEt. 23, 1928.

P/ /kce 4. Gard/7e; J);

Patented Oct. 23, 1928.

UNITED STATES PRINCE ALBERT GARDNER, JR., OF ST LOUIS, MISS OURI.

CIGARETTE CASE.

Application filed October 28, 1926. Serial No. 144,717.

This invention relates to means for holding a supply of cigarettes, and has more particular reference to a folding cigarette case which can be made from flexible material and can be carried in the pocketof the user.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a case of the character described that can be readily folded or unfolded, and which, when unfolded, can be easily manipulated to facilitate the removal of a cigarette therefrom.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which like numbers of reference denotes like parts wherever they occur,

Figure 1 is a View of the inner side of the form of the invention that has been chosen for the purpose of illustration, as it appears when extended or opened out to afford access to the cigarettes contained in the pockets of the case; v

Figure 2 is a view of the case as it appears when closed; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 in Figure 2.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a substantially rectangular body portion or strip 1 of flexible sheet material, preferably lcather. A series of pocket portions 2 of similar sheet material, in the present instance, two, are positioned at inter- I vals on the inner side of and along the length of the body portion 1, the lateral edges 3 of the pocket portions 2 preferably coinciding with the lateral edges 4 of the body portion 1, and the lower transverse edge 5 of the lowermost pocket 2 preferably coinciding with the lower transverse edge 6 of the body portion. The upper pocket is spaced from the upper transverse edge 7 of the body portion in order to leave a flap portion 8. The pocket portions 2 can, if desired, be formed integral with the body portion 1 and folded over the latter,

but they are preferably attached thereto as separate strips. The strips 2 are preferably spaced a suitable distance apart to provide a connecting web portion 9 between adjacent pockets, whereon the adjacent pockets can be folded towards one another so that their sides contact. When the pockets have been folded together, the flap 8 can be folded over the pockets, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the flap being inserted between the body portion 1 and a holding strap 10, that holds the flap in closed position, and extends transversely across the outer side of the body portion 1 0p posite to the lowermost pocket portion 2 atfixed to the inner side of the strip 1.

A line of stitching 11 is disposed around the marginal portion of the body strip 1 and passes through the lateral edge portions of all the pocket strips and through the lower edge portion of the lower pocket strip and through the ends of the holding strap, thereby securmg the strap and pocket strips to the body strip. A transverse line of stitching 12, also, secures the lower edge 5 of the upper pocket strip to the body portion 1.

To prevent crushing of the cigarettes, a substantially U-shaped spacing rod 13, preferably of round spring brass, is inserted "in each of the pockets so as to follow the outline of the closed edges thereof. The rod spaces the sides of the pockets apart. and is initially sprung so that its free ends 14: bear against the lateral edges 3 of the pockets, thereby tending to keep the sides of the pocket taut between the opposing lateral edges 3. It will be observed that both lateral edges 3 are accessible to receive pressure that may be ex-- erted thereon to bring the opposing edges together against the expansive tendency of the resilient spacing rod 13, the approach of the opposing edges causing the sides of the pockets to bulge away from one another, and thereby widening the mouth of the pocket to afford better access to the cigarettes, which may then be easily grasped and removed from the case as desired.

To further facilitate access to the contents, the intermediate portion of the upper transverse edge 15 of each of the pockets is retracted from its extreme end portions 16, the retracted portion of the edge being a straight line that extends from one extreme end portion to the other so as to afiord the full amount of clearance or accessibility along its entire length.

Having thus fully described this invention,

I hereby reserve the benefit of all changes in form, arrangement, order, or use of parts, as it is evident that many minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the followingclaim.

I claim:

w A cigarette case comprising a substantially rectangular body portion composed of flexible material, aseries of pieces of flexible material attached to said body portion, one above the resilient arms of said rod for bulging the other, and arranged with their open ends the intermediate portion of a pocket, said 10 disposed upwardly, and a resilient U-shaped pocket being returned to its normal position rod insertible beneath each of said pieces to when the pressure on said arms is released.

5 space the same from the body portion to define In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my pockets, the arrangement of each of the pocksignature.

etstbeing such as to permit the application of pressure on the opposing lateral sides against PRINCE ALBERT GARDNER, J R. 

